Sectional roll-top desk



Jan. 29, 1929.

L. W. LANGFORD ET AL SECTIONAL ROLL TOP DESK Filed Dec. 10. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS LWLangforol y a K61.

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Jan. 29, 1929.

L. W. LANGFORD ET AL SECTIONAL ROLL TOP DESK Filed Dec. 10. 1925 2 Sheets-Shea); 2

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Patented Jan. 29, 1929.

LEONARD W. LANGFORD AND HARRY EDGAR BAKER, O-F BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

SECTIONAL RoLnToP DESK.

Application filed December 10, 1926; Serial No. 153,930.

'This invention relates to sectional desks of general type disclosed in our copend1ng application Serial #153,931, filed Dec. 10, 1926, and Serial #153,932, filed Dec. 10, 1926. As

stated in those applications, the two main pendent units and means cooperating there-,

with to readily and detachably combine these units into a single desk unit. The advantages gained by such construction are numerous.

Among those advantages may be mentioned the following: The desk can b'e quickly disassembled for moving. The table and filing cases can be bought at different times and assembled into desk form any time at a later date. The independent filing cases may be made in various forms all adapted to combine with any table, thus providing great flexibility in character and adaptability to every business need. The independent filing cases readily permit of vertical filing which is far superior to the usual horizontal filing in desk drawers. The cost of manufacture, considering the advantages obtained, is less than when the desks are made in one piece.

Our invention herein relates more especially to roll-top desks and it is the primary object of the invention to construct a rolltop desk having the general characteristics and embodying the various novel improvements of the sectional desks disclosed in our said co-pending applications.

In the accompanying drawings we have illustrated one specific embodiment of our invention, but it will be understood that the invention can be otherwise embodied and that the drawings are not to be construed as defining or limiting the scope of the in vention, the claims appended hereto ,being r.elied upon forthat purpose.

Referring to the figures of the drawings: 1

Fig. 1 is a planview of a desk embodying our present invention, the filing cabinets thereof being shown in horizontal section. 7 Fig.2 is an elevation thereof.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the desk with the filing cabinets omitted.

Fig. e-isan end view'of the desk.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view showing the pivotal connection between the table and filing cabinet.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view showing one of the operating screws. i Fig. 7 'isa fragmentary plan view showing the connection betweenthe table and filing cabinet. ,7 As in our aforementioned co-pending applications, our improved desk herein comprises the combining of a'table with one or more filing cabinets in a manner forming the same into a unit desk. While the desks illustrated in such applications are of the plain fiat-top type, it is of course understood that the invention is not considered as being so limited but fmay with equal facility include other types, such as rol;l top desks. The purposeofth'is application is particularly to disclose'jone illustration of our invention as embodied in'a desk of the roll-top type. The table of our improved desk is most clearly illustrated in F ig. Sand, except for certain modifications now to be described, ma be ofwell known construction. This tab e unit comprisesatop 1 supported'by legs 2 detachably' connected to the top by brackets 3. The desk may be provided with a filing cabinet 4 at one 'or both ends of the table; As described in our said co-pending applications, these cabinets are detachably' secured. to the desk in such a manner that the same can be easily "assembled, disassembled and reassembled to form any combination desired, it being understood that filing cabinets of varied forms and having varying characteristics can b'ep'rovided for thepurpose of making the desk conform to the. particular require ments of the user. As illustrated in the drawings, the cabinets are preferably pivotally connected to the corners, of the table ate and preferably the cabinets and table are so constructed that the table ends extend into horizontal openings '6 in the cabinets between a pair of felt pads l, as in application N 0. 153,932. In this construction the table ends are preferably extended at 8, these ends projecting into openings 6 in a manner to be supported therein. When the desk is in use, the cabinets 4 are preferably in the angular position shown in Fig. 1, wherein they are inclined sli 'htly toward the occupants position at the desk and whereby the occupant has a more convenient access to the. drawers 9.

Beneath the rear side of the desk is a housing 10 within which is rotatably mounted a roll 11 having one end of the flexible table cover 12 connected thereto. A lifting handle 13 is provided on the free end of the cover. As a guiding track for the ends of the cover 12 we have shown a pair of U-shaped channel bars 14: at each end of the table. The front end of each such bar is pivoted at 5 and the rear end is extended downwardly at 15 and connected to one arm 16 of a lever pivoted at 17. The inner arms 18 of the levers are connected by a pin and slot at 19.

One of the levers 1618 has an arm 20 connected at 21 to a lever 22 pivoted at 23 beneath the table-top 1. Movement of the lever 22 in one direction operates to pivot the bars 14: to their inner and operative position over the table ends (Fig. 3) and movement thereof in the other direction operates to pivot the bars to their outer position against the cabinets 4. A spring detent 24; is provided for holding the levers in these two positions.

The members 14: may comprise only the U-shaped channel bars or, if desired, plain end-closing pieces 25 maybe secured to these bars. In either case however it is desirable that the ends of the cover 12, in its desk-closing position, should be securely closed to prevent any tampering. This object is accomplished by pivoting the cabinets inwardl against these ends when the desk is close Secured to each cabinet 4 by a joint 26 is a threaded rod 27 and each of these rods is in threaded engagement with a nut 28 within the roll 11. The arrangement is such that the cases are automatically pivoted outwardly as the cover is wound onto the roll when opening the desk and are automatically pivoted inwardly to a position against the end members 14: as the cover is unwound from the roll when closing the desk. Springs 29 may be provided for aiding in rotating the roll in a'winding-up direction.

It is believed that the construction and operation of the invention will be clear from the above description. The desk is shown in its open position in Figs. 1 and 2, To close the desk, the lever 22 is grasped and swung in a direction moving the guide bars 14 inwardly to the position shown in Fig. 3. In such position the ends of the channels 30 are directly in line with the ends of the cover 12 whereby the cover is received and guided thereby. As the operator closes the cover over the table, the rotation of the roll 11 and nuts 28 draws the cabinets inwardly. When the cover is in this fully table-closed position, the cabinets have been brought to a position contacting with the members 14 where by the ends of the table-cover are fully closed. When the cover is locked at 31 none of the parts can be moved until the cover is released and moved to its open position.

To open the desk for use it is only necessary to move the cover back and swing the lever 22.

Having described our invention, what we claim is:

1. A sectional roll-top desk comprising the combination of a table, a vertically-extending self-supporting file case pivoted to one end of the table, a roll at the rear of the table, a flexible cover for the table connected to and adapted to Wind upon the roll, means operated by the roll for pivoting the case outwardly as the cover is wound onto the roll and for pivoting the case inwardly as the cover is unwound from the roll, the case in its inwardly pivoted positions being directly adjacent one end of the cover, and means acting as a closure for the other end of the cover.

2. A sectional roll-top desk comprising the combination of a table, a pair of verticallyextending self-supporting file cases respectively pivoted to the ends of the table, a roll at the rear of the table, a flexible cover for the table connected to and adapted to wind up on the roll and means operated by the roll for pivoting the cases outwardly as the cover is wound onto the roll and for pivoting the cases inwardly adjacent the ends of the cover as the cover is unwound from theroll.

3. A sectional roll-top desk comprising the combination of a table, a vertically-extending self-supporting file case pivoted to one end of the table, the side of the case adjacent the table having an elongated horizontally-extending opening receiving the table end therein, a roll at the rear of the table, a flexible cover for the table connected to and adapted to wind up on the roll, the case in its inward position being directly adjacent one end of the cover, and means acting as a closutre for the other end of the cover, the table end extending into the said opening sufficiently to remain supported therein when the case is pivoted to its outermost position.

4. A sectional roll-top desk comprising the combination of a table, a vertically-extending self-supporting file case secured to one end of the table, a roll at the rear of the table, a flexible cover for the table connected to and adapted to wind up on the roll, a member mounted on the other end of the table and serving as a track support to that end of the cover in its movement over the table, and means for moving the member away from its normal operative position when the cover has been wound onto the roll, the file case acting as an end .wall closure to the cover in its table covering position.

5. A sectional roll-top desk comprising the combination of a table, a pair of verticallyextending self-supporting file cases respectively secured to the ends of the table and at an angle thereto wherein they are inclined toward the occupants position at the desk, a roll at the rear of the table, a flexible cover for the table connected to and adapted to wind up on the roll, a pair of members respectively pivoted to the table ends and serving as track supports to the ends of the cover in its movement over the table, and means for pivotingthe members away from their normal operative position to a position against the sides of the cases, the file cases acting as end wall closures to the cover in its table covering position.

6. A sectional roll-top desk comprising the combination 01 a table, a pair of verticallyextending self-supporting file cases respectively pivoted to the ends of the table, a roll at the rear of the table, a flexible cover for the table connected to and adapted to wind up on the roll, a pair of members respectively at the ends of the table and serving as track supports to the ends of the cover in its movement over the table, means operated by the roll for pivoting the cases outwardly as the cover is wound onto the roll and for pivoting the cases inwardly adjacent the said members as the cover is unwound from the roll,

and means for moving the members away from their normal operative position when the cover has been wound onto the roll.

7. A sectional roll-top desk comprising the combination of a table, a pair of verticallyextending self-supporting file cases, respectively pivoted to the ends of the table, a roll at the rear of the table, a flexible cover for the table connected to and adapted to wind up on the roll, a pair of members respectively at the ends of the table and serving as track supports to the ends of the cover in its movement over the table, and nutand screw means forming a connection between the roll and cases and operating to pivot the cases outwardly as the cover is Wound onto the roll and for pivoting the cases inwardly adjacent the said members as the cover is unwound from the roll.

In testimony whereof we aflix our signatures.

LEONARD W. LANGFORD. HARRY EDGAR BAKER. 

